Why is smoking so bad for me?

In Ireland, around 100 people die each week from smoking related illnesses. That's more than 5,000 a year. Cigarette smoke has an affect on nearly every organ in the body, causes many diseases and has a negative impact on your mental health and your health in general.

When you smoke your body takes in a lot more than just nicotine. Cigarette smoke is packed with additional toxic chemicals including tar and carbon monoxide.

Remember, social smokers (people who only smoke in social situations) and passive smokers (people who don't smoke but end up inhaling someone else's second-hand smoke) are also at risk. There is no safe number of cigarettes to smoke and no safe level of cigarette smoke to take in from others.

What can I do?

Don't start

Well if you don’t smoke, that’s great! Our best advice to you is don’t start. That way, you’ll never have the problem of trying to quit.

Avoid second hand smoke

Even if you don't smoke it's important to avoid being around people when they are smoking as second hand smoke is bad for your health. Check out our article on second hand smoking for more info.

Make the choice to quit

If you do smoke, consider quitting. It’s a brilliant thing to do, and it will hugely benefit your health and well-being. Remember, there is plenty of help and support available. Check out our article on quitting smoking for tips on how to quit.

Benefits of quitting

The health benefits start right away when you quit smoking

Straight away, you will have fresher breath, hair and clothes

Straight away, you will have more money in your pocket

Within 20 minutes blood pressure and pulse rate begin to return to normal and circulation will improve

Within 1 day the carbon monoxide level in your blood will drop and the oxygen level will go up

Within 2 days you will have a better sense of taste and smell

Within 3 days you will feel fitter and less breathless

Within one year the risk of sudden death from a heart attack is almost cut in half